World Water Day 2023: Know History & Significance

New Delhi:  World Water Day is observed on March 22 every year to highlight the importance of water and raise awareness about the global water crisis. The focus of World Water Day 2023 is on the theme of ‘Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis,’ underlining the vital importance of taking decisive action to address the global water crisis.

History:

The resolution to observe World Water Day was first adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 22, 1992, after which March 22 was declared World Water Day and is celebrated around the world since then. The first World Water Day was observed in the year 1993.

Significance:

Everyone knows that ‘Water is the elixir of life’. From drinking to cleaning and other things, life cannot sustain without it. While many people are privileged to have running water 24×7, there is a huge population around the globe that does not have access to any amount of water.

According to the UN, at present, one in four people (two billion people worldwide) – lack safe drinking water. Around 1.4 million people die annually and 74 million will have their lives shortened by diseases related to poor water, sanitation and hygiene. As per the estimates by OECD, global water demand (in water withdrawals) would increase by 55% by 2050.

Various organisations, NGOs and individuals celebrate the day in their own way to conserve water in a bid to tackle the water crisis.